Hummers at Castellow


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Posted by Trey Mitchell on 21:54:03 09/12/05

In Reply to: Rufous at Castellow Yes, and other stuff posted by Toe

Thanks Mark for the Post about the Rufous Hummingbird and the Dickcissel.


I have gone by the park several times in the last few days trying to see the
Dickcissel and Photograph the Rufous Hummer. This evening I was finally
successful. I watched as the the male Rufous Hummer would chase of the Ruby
Throateds. He would perch in the tree I was standing under and as soon as a Ruby
Throated would show up He would swoop down upon the poor Ruby Throated. He would
actually chase the Ruby around the park. While that was happening the other Ruby
Throats would quickly get a bite to eat.


The calls of the Ruby Throated and the Rufous are quite distinct. The Ruby
Throated had a fairly soft raspy single call and the Rufous had a call similar
to banging a couple of river rocks together in with a repetition of about 5 - 8
beats. I got to where I didn't have to look for them, all I had to do was listen
to locate the birds. I saw 2  Rufous Hummers at the park a male and a
female.


I looked for the Dickcissels fervently checking every house sparrow that flew
into view.


Conrad, finally this evening I did see one female Dickcissel but it flew
before I got a photo. I guess I will have to go back again tomorrow. Conrad
birded the park this morning and helped me learn how to distinguish a female
Dickcissel from a house sparrow. 


Here are a few photos.


 




















 




What a day...


 




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